Arkansas Baseball: 4 newcomers we can’t wait to see suit up for Razorbacks in ’22

Arkansas Baseball loaded with transfer talent for 2022 season

We are just weeks away from the Arkansas Baseball team taking the field to begin their months-long quest of getting back to Omaha to compete in the College World Series.

The Hogs made back-to-back appearances in the CWS in 2018 and 2019. There was not a 2020 CWS and Arkansas missed getting to the 2021 series after falling to NC State 2 games to 1.

The Razorbacks will have to find ways to replace some big bats and talented arms this season.

Outfielder Christian Franklin was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2021 MLB Draft (No.123 overall). Matt Goodhart has departed the team and was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies after going undrafted in 2021. Casey Opitz was drafted No.244 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Cubs.

The Hogs also lost pitcher LHP Patrick Wicklander, who went 7-1 with an ERA of 2.09 to the Tampa Bay Rays (No. 251 overall).

But, perhaps most notably the team will forge on without star pitcher Kevin Kopps, who has departed for the San Diego Padres. Kopps, the 2021 recipient of the Golden Spikes award, is given to the nation’s best college baseball player.

It’s impossible to replace all of that talent, but there are a few transfer players who have what it takes to step up and make an immediate impact.

To get prepared for the new season, we’re taking a look at some key transfer players and what they’ll be bringing to the Diamond Hogs this season.